Ep. 40: How David Gordon Green Became Hollywood’s Most Eclectic Filmmaker

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2000, David Gordon Green received universal acclaim for his feature debut,</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">George Washington,</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">and it wasn’t long before people in the industry started referring to Green — then 26 years old — as “the next Terrence Malick.” However, after a string of well-received, but financially unsuccessful indie films, Green decided to pivot with the 2009 stoner smash hit</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pineapple Express.</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Since then, Green’s filmography has become as varied as you’ll see from a modern Hollywood director, from low-brow fantasy epics (</span><em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Your Highness</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">) to emotional biographical dramas (</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stronger)</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">to horror reboots (the upcoming</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Halloween</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Geoff sat down with Green to discuss how he became so comfortable changing styles and genres, why it pays off to stay close to your college buddies (especially when they include Danny McBride), and why, despite the understated tone of his early films, he’s always been drawn to projects that are “big and outrageous.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He also considers the added responsibility of telling true stories, why it was important for him to inject humour and levity into a film as emotional as</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stronger,</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">and why he wouldn’t say no to the next</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Star Wars</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">movie.</span></p>